91ÊÓƵ

The first shot in what is expected to be a rapid consolidation of Internet-based transportation companies was fired last week with a proposed merger of Logistics.com and QuoteShip.com.

Election-year politics and a split between a Republican Congress and a Democratic White House means no major tax issues will be settled during the balance of this year, according to a Washington-based tax lawyer.

In the news this morning: Consolidated Freightways replaces its CFO; euro currency rising as key EU official talks up its potential; Con-Way set to open new freight center in Louisville; and more.

This afternoon's headlines: Lengthy witness list set for hours-of-service hearing in Washington, D.C.; Rollins Leasing bought back 400,000 shares last quarter; oil prices keep falling after Saudi production boost; and more.

Today's tech headlines: Deutsche Telekom reportedly eyeing Cable & Wireless; NTT DoCoMo, KPN to buy 35% of Hutchison unit; law on electronic signatures is seen as a boon to e-business; and more.

Diesel engine manufacturers told federal officials they cannot meet an Oct. 1, 2002, deadline to produce cleaner-burning engines as agreed to in a 1998 consent decree.

Trucking continued its drive to get Congress to order a one-year delay in the Clinton administration’s plan to implement new industry work rules, even as federal officials said they were unlikely to finish their work before their terms expire on Jan. 20.

Technology has given dispatchers more tools to be efficient, but it hasn’t eliminated the heart-popping stress of the job.

Dispatcher Jeff Raymond has the raw nerves of a high-wire artist with every movement focused on maintaining a balance of schedules, equipment and personnel in dealing with truckers and responding to the needs of customers.

Voicing renewed optimism in the heavy truck market, Michel Gigou, president of Mack Trucks, introduced a new, lightweight, day-cab version of the over-the-road Vision model.